A GREENER FUTURE for Nottingham is on the horizon as local businesses unite, with marketing agency Cartwright continuing its partnership with Nottingham College’s award-winning Sustainable Futures programme for the third-year running.
The initiative – which has grown from just 100 students to over 8,000 – gives students the opportunity to turn bold ideas into real-world solutions, offering up to £4,000 in funding, mentorship from local business leaders and a platform to tackle pressing environmental and social issues.
Recognised nationally, the college was named ‘Sustainability Institution of the Year’ at the Green Gown Awards in November 2025 and since its inception, the Sustainable Futures programme has seen remarkable engagement with over 54 groups applying and 11 ideas shortlisted for final judging. The ideas were so strong that the funding was shared, giving each team the chance to turn its concept into a real-world solution and make a genuine impact locally.
Teams of students worked closely with mentors to refine their ideas, culminating in presentations to a distinguished judging panel including Cartwright director Rose Hayes, representatives from the college, local construction experts Stepnell and Nadia Whittome MP.
Fran Prince, director and ESG lead at Cartwright, said: “Environmental enterprise isn’t just a tick box for us, it’s at the heart of how we operate. Working together on initiatives like Sustainable Futures allows us to support the next generation of leaders, equipping them to protect our planet not only for themselves but to create better business practices too.”
The partnership — which also contributed to Cartwrights’ shortlisting for the East Midlands Chamber CSR Leadership Award 2025/26 — formed part of the agency’s wider ESG impact across the region. Through this work, the business delivered 637 hours of volunteering, internships, and pro bono support to charities, educational institutions, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across Nottingham.
This year’s organiser Hannah Richardson, Skills and Progression Lead for Nottingham College, said: “With ongoing engagement from industry experts, mentors, and business leaders, the Sustainable Futures programme provides students with unique opportunities to apply knowledge in practical settings while making a real difference.”
With over 150 submissions calculated so far this year, campus judging began on the 26 January, and final judging will take place in March. Cartwright will also participate in the college’s student conference on 13th February at Adams Campus, where students will enhance their ESG and climate literacy, as well as public speaking and presentation skills.
Last year, four groups received funding, with two projects already completed. Save Our World produced an A–Z sustainability book for children, while Pallet to Plant tackled food waste through campus composting to support the Wilding Campuses project.
The remaining projects, Over Con-souption and Nottingham Climate Action, addressed consumerism through billboard art and promoted the CN28 campaign via sports-led media.
Usman Khan, (AGE) a winning participant entrant from Pallet to Plant recommended entering the 2026 programme: “This project has helped me grow in confidence. Being able to carry the work forward, make a positive impact, and inspire other young people means a lot to me. I grew up learning gardening skills in Pakistan, and this project gave me the chance to really develop and put them into practice.”
Cartwright’s extended ESG partners include Nottingham Trent University, Sneinton Primary School and Nottingham Girls High School and charities Switch Up, Juno and The TV Workshop.
Fran, added: “Our mission is to be a powerful ally to our clients, colleagues and communities, always doing right by them to achieve greater positive impact, together.